"Who moved my World?" kemisteryoso's Profile

I don't know why I like beaches so much.This is my place of solitude. I can be alone in a beach oblivious about time. I don't bother being alone if what I only wanted is to relax and have a piece of nature aside from photography. I can be idle for hours watching the waves hit the shore or waiting for the sun to set. I did this many times to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines because of its proximity to Metro Manila where I once lived. I went there to unwind and escape the city life every weekend. It is the first beach I visited outside Luzon and the most memorable one for me. I am not a swimmer though, it's very ironic indeed. I just love the scene and the serene feeling of the gentle wind while lying down in a hammock sipping cold fresh fruit juice.

I love sunsets, the drama of how the light engulfed by total darkness and the mixtures of vivid colors manifested on the fading light is what I love to capture. It reminds me of one thing, darkness in our lives sometime comes, our every day is not always bright but always remember that there is still sunrise...there's hope and we need to keep going. I have plenty of sunset photos taken from different beaches and attractions in the Philippines. My favorite is the one taken at Pundaquit.

Speaking of beaches, the Philippines offers world class beaches that are worth visiting and each has their own unique beauty. The island beaches of Caramoan which is the top tourist destination of 2010 is good example. I don't have much photos to share because of the typhoon spoiled our vacation but you can check their Website. By the way Survivor France chose the place as their location twice.
If you want to spend time on a beach coupled with a country side tour, Bohol is perfect and you will be surely in love with the white powdery sand and clear waters of Panglao Island and the grandeur of Chocolate hills. If you are a party animal and loves water activities, Boracay Island is suited for you. It is a world class white powdery beach in the Philipibes with superb nightlife. To those who wanted solitude and tranquility, try the very relaxing and beautiful islands in Palawan like the Malcapuya Island and Banana Island. If you are somewhere in Central Visayas, Natago Island and Guisi beachof Guimaras are worth visiting. I just named few of them and it's up to you to try and discover the rest.

The following are the beaches and Islands I am not able to see but I will see them someday when I get back for a vacation.

Calaguas Island - Camarines Norte
Sta. Cruz island (known for its pink beach)- Zamboanga del Norte
Concepcion Islands - Iloilo
Batanes
Camiguin
El Nido - Palawan
Carabao Island - Romblon
Siargao - The surfing capital of the Philippines

Sunset at Pundaquit, Zambales

I usually travel alone and people say it's boring but for me it's something beyond fun. It is my way of detachment to my real world.Just being myself and being free. I always try to have a companion whenever I hit the road but often times I ended up being alone because of conflicting work schedules and most of my friends are not really into it. One sure thing, with or without company, the travel must go on. I am not thinking about fear but the adventure I have to make. It's not boring, it's challenging and exciting especially to people who are not into hassle and conflict, those who love photography, who enjoys solitude while communing with nature, to those who are brave and interact with people on their travels. I am the master of my schedule and I can do whatever I want without further consultation. I will always be a lone wanderer unless someone is available to travel along with me. I want to meet Vters to places I want to see.
One of my favorite solo travel is my trip to Pundaquit, Zambalez. It is my first travel of 2011 as a treat to my birthday. It was a quick two-day trip but I enjoyed every minute of my stay there.I will not forget the adventure I had at Capones Island. Wandering the island is a marvelous thing do that one shouldn't miss. I walked to its shore from the east to its center and hiked the island to the top to get to the western side. At the top, you will have the magnificent blue sea around you and the towering mountains of Zambales. I even lied to five marines I met along the way who's guarding the solar panel of the lighthouse. I told them that I have friends who are slacking behind on the other side or they will not allow me to go alone. It is prohibited to hike alone there for safety reasons. Then I continued my solo journey to the rocky shore then hiked again to the northern part of the island. I had the nerve doing this even they told me a story about a girl who fell on a well and died there. Yes, creepy but I was not moved by the story and continued my journey. I had no regrets though a bit jumpy. It's very rewarding, the view was amazing from the lighthouse and after that all I can remember is that I am walking so fast down the lighthouse hahaha.

The sunset was spectacular from the coast of Pundaquit, the full view of the sunset and the silhouette of Capones and Camara Islands is perfect and breathtaking.

Sagada Terraces, Mt. Province

Being one with nature is what I love to do and my trip to Sagada is my best Non-beach destination. I felt like am so far away from the crowded city. It is where I enjoyed nature so much coupled with ethnic culture and breathtaking adventures. I forgot everything even my upcoming permanent departure. I love the cold climate, the people, waterfalls, the adventure and the hanging coffins. The long walks going to each attraction worth it.
I will not ever forget the Cave Connection Challenge in Sagada. This challenge is about spending about 4 hours under the dark cave more than 100 feet below, walking, sliding, climbing, rappelling and stooping. To start this challenge is to enter at Burial Cave (Lumiang Cave) where we saw old wooden coffins mounted on its wall near the cave entrance. We are like earthworms here finding our way beneath the earth. It's very creepy and quiet but exciting. There are lots of obstacles inside and we're lucky not getting any scratches. One must be very careful and serious once inside or it's the end. We saw plenty of beautiful cave formations as we approach the exit which is the Sumaguing cave. To name a few of them are the inverted cone, rice granary, snow white, frog, elephant, turtle, chocolate cake etc. but my favorite is the palatial curtains with a pool. I was also surprised to know that there are fossilized sea shells inside which is a proof that the entire Philippine archipelago was once submerged in sea water aside from limestone formations in some areas of Sagada. I suggest you should also try this one. Don't miss it.

Bintan Island, Indonesia

The beach of Bintan Island in Indonesia is the first beach I ever visited outside Philippines. Its beauty is comparable to Bohol not crowded with minimal resorts. It's very relaxing, the sunset, the tranquility, food, fine white sand ahh, the place made me want to see more of Southeast Asia.

I wanted to see the following

Halong bay of Vietnam
Sipadan of Malaysia
Phuket, Thailand
The lost temple of Cambodia

Miag-Ao church in Iloilo

Aside from nature and beaches, I am also fascinated with old architecture. This is my only non-nature favorite in traveling.
The old Catholic churches of the Philippines are really beautiful. They have their own unique architecture and design specially those built by Augustinians hundred of years ago. In fact the great 4 baroque churches I visited which are chosen and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site were all Augustinian built.
The first one is the Paoay Church of Paoay, Ilocos Norte then came next is the church of San Agustin in Intramuros, Manila. The third one with a magnificent combination of aztec and local art is the Miag-Ao Church of Miag-Ao, Iloilo and also known as the Sto. Thomas De Villanueva Church. This is the only UNESCO church located outside Luzon. I visited the last one 3 weeks before my departure,the very impressive Sta. Maria Church of Sta.Maria, Ilocos Sur with my mom. It has the most beautiful location of all churches I've ever seen in the Philippines. I made a wish on each church and surprisingly my wishes all came true. Mission accomplished.

By the way, don't miss the province of Iloilo if you want to see more of old churches like the Italian inspired church of Sta. Monica of Pavia, Iloilo and the church of San Joaquin, the only military inspired church in the Philippines. It was also listed on Unseen Asia: 25 of Asia's most overlooked destinations.

Bantayan Island, Cebu

I joined VT just to get much information about places I wanted to visit locally but things changed when someone started asking me about Hundred Islands. It is located in my hometown Alaminos City where I grew up. I answered her every question until they successfully visited the islands with my help. She appreciated my help and I'm very happy about it helping travel junkies about a place you have been or you know about. I helped more people and there's a time when I can't accommodate answering all the same questions everyday so I decided to put up a travel page for Hundred Islands and as time went by, I found myself building each page of places I'd visited. I'm very happy about it even though I'm not good in descriptive writing.

Then I saw pictures of people proudly waving a VT flag, I am very envious about it and wanted to wave a VT flag too. I wrote VT and requested if I could have one and after 3 weeks, my request was granted.
My first waving of VT flag happened at Bantayan Island in Cebu. I felt like I really belong, I am a proud member of VT, the community of travel junkies.

And by the way, my Coron page was nominated on 2011 Barney award for Best Rural Travel Page.

Cabongaoan Beach, Burgos, Pangasinan

May 2012 - Toronto - Niagara- Ottawa - Montreal-Quebec City (hope it will happen)

I hope this will happen. I am a bit hesitant because this will be my first solo travel in Canada. Hoping to see old and new friends along the way.

September 4, 2011- International Peace Garden and Spirit Sands - We can't cross the US border yet so we wandered around this colorful garden that lies between North Dakota and Manitoba then visited the sand dunes on our way home to Winnipeg.

August 6, 2011- Kenora, Ontario - my first camping experience at Rushing river provincial park

March 6, 2011 Cabongaoan beach in Burgos, Pangasinan - the part two of my send-off party , 4 days before my departure. I had a great time with my friends and I missed them so much.

Feb 26, 2011 Baguio City for the annual Penagbenga Festival with my high school friends.

Feb 17, 2011 Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, where the last among the four UNESCO listed baroque church I visited is located

Jan 31-Feb 3, 2011 Sagada, Mt. Province - The most tiring journey I ever hard but the most memorable nature trip I had. This trip made my whole body ache making our Pinatubo trip canceled :(

Jan 29, 2011 Taal Volacano-My first Volcano experience with my colleagues.

Jan 3-4, 2011 Pundaquit, Zambales - A good treat for my birthday. I love the sunset and it's very relaxing. I won't also forget my exciting and creepy journey to Capones lighthouse, the wavy ride to Anawangin Cove and picturesque Camara Islands.

my travel companion

I am a Chemist and arachnophobic. I love outdoor, nature and sunsets. I love culture and diversity.

The Philippine National Hero, José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or Dr. Jose Rizal inspires me a lot. He's the proponent of achieving Philippine self-government peacefully through institutional reform rather than through violent revolution, although he would support "violent means" as a last option. He's very smart and considered a polymath, a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas. But what i like most about him is being a traveler as well. I saw a first time Filipino abroad after I read his letter to his family when he went to Europe for the first time to study. He's very good in descriptive writing.

Life is too short so I live life as if I only have a day to live. I make it sure that every seconds count. We will never know what will happen next so I cherish what is now. I always think that there is no Day but only Today. I just enjoy what life brings and be happy. I have struggles and I am fighting.

I recently moved to Canada as an immigrant ( I am a pure blooded Filipino in Canada) and I miss everything about home. I am on the adjustment stage and looking forward to my whole new different adventure.

I received my new VT flag already so you guys should ask for the new flag as well.